Street-sign post and holder.



No. 659,314. Patented Oct. 9', I900. s. E. uomou.

STREET SIGN POST AND HOLDER.

(Application filed May 28, 1900.)

(No Model.)

FIllQ.

WITNESSES:

44. A TTORNE YJ? UNITED STATES PATENT OFF CE.

SERENO E. NORTON, OF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS.

STREET-SIGN POST AND HOLDER.

srEcIFIcAmoN forming part of Letters Patent No. 659,314. dated October 9, 1900.

Application filed May 28, 1900. Serial No. 18,238. (No model.)

T0 or) whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, SERENO E. NORTON, a citizen of the United States, residing in Evanston, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Street-Sign Posts and Holders, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to sign posts and holders for street and other signs.

The object of my invention is to provide a sign post and holder for enameled-steel streetsigns and other signs which will be of a neat appearance and of a simple, cheap, strong, durable, and efficient construction which will securely hold the signs in position without the necessity of perforating the sign or breaking the enameling to insert screws, nails, or other fastenings through the sign, and will permit of expansion and contraction under changes of temperature without injury to the sign or danger of bending or cracking the enamel. Heretofore enameled-steel streetsigns have been secured to the sign post or holder by screws or other fastenings inserted through holes made in the sign to receive them, thus breaking the enamel coating, and consequently leading to the speedy destruction of the sign by rusting of the metal, and

thereby causing the enameling to chip or peel OK, as it will do when moisture and rust are permitted to attack the metal under the enamel coating Where its continuity is once broken by cracks or holes or perforations through it, and where the enameled-steel sign larged top or plan view. Fig. 3 is a perspeo-.

tive View of one of the metal brackets or signholders.

In the drawings, A represents a metal postpipe, preferably about two inches in diameter and nine and one-half or ten feet in length and provided at its bottom with a metal disk B, preferably about six inches in diameter and having a hub or socket b to receive the lower end of the metal post-pipe A, to which it is secured by a pin 1), driven into suitable holes formed in the pipe and hub for this purpose. The bottom disk B of the post is further provided with two lateral flanges or wings b to prevent the post turning in the ground. Oisametal bracing-cup, preferably about six inches in diameter and four inches deep and provided with a hub or socket 0, through which the pipe A loosely extends, so that the bracing-cup C may be lifted by the frost without lifting the post A and its bottom disk B from orin the ground. This construction and combination of parts is of great practical utility where the sign posts are planted in moist soil, such as clay or loam, or where there is a tendency of the frost to lift the posts out of the ground. Though the post-pipe A fits loosely in the bracing-cup C, so that the one may slip or telescope in respect to the other, the bracing-cup, in connection with the bottom disk B, efiectually braces and stiffens the postpipe in the ground. The bracing-cup O of the post is buried in the ground to a sufficient depth to cause it to be properly held in position and to properly cooperate with the bottom disk in holding the post as a whole rigidly in its erect position.

The post-pipe Ais provided at its top with a metal head or cap D, having a socket d to receive the upper end of the post-pipe A, and to which it is rigidly secured by a metal pin 01 driven into suitable holes in the pipe and cap. The metal cap D is provided with lateral sockets d to receive the metal arms or pipes E of the holder, which are preferably four in number, one extending to each of the corners or meeting angles of the signs. The

arms E are preferably made in separate pieces from the head or cap D, and of gas-piping about seven-eighths of an inch in exterior diameter. The outer ends of the arms E are provided with skeleton sign-holders E, each at the corner of two meeting signs and extending across the angle thereof, each of which is provided with a socket f to receive the end of the arm E, and hook-shaped sockets or recesses f f extending at an angle to each other to receive the upper edges of two connecting-pieces F F of the holder.

signs G G, and with similar sockets ff arranged at an angle to each other to receive the bottom edges of the signs, and with similar sockets f f to receive the end edges of the signs. The skeleton holder F is preferably made of sheet-steel or other sheet metal and comprises a top piece F, a bottom piece F and the two connecting-pieces F F The top and bottom pieces F F are of similar shape and each is provided with angular folds, bends, or flanges f f to form the sockets to receive the side edges of the sign. The intermediate or connecting pieces F F are similar in shape and each is provided with a semicircular bend f to form the socketf, with fiangesf to form shoulders to fit against the top and bottom plates or pieces F F and with tongues f, which pass through slots f in the top and bottom pieces F F to secure the top and bottom pieces to the connectingpieces by bending, clenching, or riveting the tongues. Each of the connecting or intermediate pieces F is provided with a wingf which is furnished with bends or flanges f f to form the socket f orf which receives the end edge of the sheet. The post-pipe A, its cap or head D, and arms E are all galvanized, the galvanizing being preferably done after the post-pipe A, its cap or head D, and the arms E are all put together, so that these parts will be securely united by the galvanizing, or, in other words, thus be galvanized together. The top plate F of the holder F is secured to the other parts of the holder after the signs G are put in place. The signs being slipped edgewise into the sockets f f f f of the holders, the top plates F are then applied so that the sockets f f embrace t? upper edges of the signs,and then the tongues f which are inserted through the slots in the top plate F, are bent or clenched down, thus firmly uniting the top plate F to the In this way it will be seen that the enameledsteel or other decorated signs are firmly supported and secured in place without cracking the enamel or making any screw-holes or perforations through the signs, and that while the signs are firmly supported in the sockets of the holders they are at the same time not. screwed rigidly at any point to the holder, so that there is no danger of injury to the signs or to the enamel or other decorative coating of the same by reason of expansion and contraction under changes of temperature.

By reason of the skeleton form of the signholders F and the fact that the arms E extend to the corners of the signs and that the holders simply extend across the angle formed by two signs, near the corner thereof, the signholders add little weight to the top of the post and do not materially tend to make it top-heavy, while at the same time the signs, post, and holders, as an entirety, are given a very neat and strong and substantial appearance, and the holders and arms are be bind the signs and concealed from view and offer little surface for the collection of snow or ice and do not obstruct the view of the signs.

As illustrated in the drawings, my sign post and holderis provided with four arms E and four sign-holders F and is adapted to hold or support in position four signs G, the signs being arranged at right angles to each other and the sockets to receive the signs on each holder standing, of course, at the same angle to each other. The sockets, however, may be arranged at any angle required to each other and the device adapted to receive and support three, four, five, or any other number of signs required. For example, to receive and support three signs I would provide the device with three arms E and three holders F, and the sockets ff thereon would be arranged at sixty degrees to each other instead of at an angle of ninety degrees, as shown in the drawings, Where four signs are employed. The signs G are made of sheetsteel and enameled, the enamel coating protecting the metal from rust.

I claim- 1. The sign post and bolder, comprising in combination the post-pipe A, the bottom disk B secured thereto, a bracing-cup 0 having a socket through which the post-pipe passes, a cap or head D sccu red to the top of the postpipe and provided with a number of holderarms E and sign-holders F on the outer ends of said arms E, and each provided with bookshaped sockets or recesses f f arranged at an angle to each other to receive the top edges of the signs, and similar sockets f' f to receive the bottom edges of the signs, and similar sockets f f to receive the end edges of the signs, substantially as specified.

2. The combination with signs arranged at an angle to each other and a skeleton signpost, of arms therefor extending to the corners or meeting angles of the signs, and signholders secured to said arms at the ends thereof and each extending across the corner or angle formed by two meeting signs, and provided each with sockets to receive the upper and lower edges and end edges of the signs, substantially as specified.

3. The combination with signs arranged at an angle to each other and a skeleton signpost and its arms extending to the corners or meeting angles of the signs, of sign-holders on the ends of the arms and each extending across the corner or angle formed by two meeting signs, and having top and bottom pieces each provided with sockets at an angle to each other to receive the top and bottom edges of signs extending at an angle to each other, substantially as specified.

4. The combination with signs arranged at an angle to each other and a skeleton signpost and its arms extending to the corners or meeting angles of the signs, of sign-holders on the ends of the arms and each extending across the corner or angle formed by IIO two meeting signs, and having top and bottom pieces each provided with sockets at an angle to each other to receive the top and bottom edges of signs extending at an angle to each otherand having also intermediate connecting-pieces provided with sockets to receive the end edges of the signs, substantially as specified.

5. The combination with a sign-post and its arms, of sign-holders on the ends of the arms having top and bottom pieces each provided with sockets at an angle to each other to receive the top and bottom edges of signs extending at an angle to each other and havingalso intermediate connecting-pieces provided with sockets to receive the end edges of the signs, said connecting-pieces having tongues extending through slots in the top and bottom pieces, substantiallyas specified.

6. The combination with a number of signs standing at an angle to each other, of holders at the meeting angles of the signs comprising each a sheet-metal top piece F having angle bends or flanges forming sockets ff a sheetmetal bottom piece F having angle bends or flanges forming sockets f f therein, and intermediate connecting-pieces F F having bends or flanges f 14 f substantially as specified.

7. The combination with signs arranged at an angle to each other, of holders at the meeting angles of the signs having top and bottom pieces, each furnished with sockets at angles to each other for receiving the top and bottom edges of the signs, and means for securing said top piece to the holder after the signs are in place in the bottom piece, substantially as specified.

8. The combination with signs arranged at an angle to each other, of holders at the meeting edges of the signs having top and bottom pieces, each furnished with sockets at angles to each other for receiving the top and bottom edges of the signs, and means for securing said top piece to the holder after the signs are in place in the bottom piece, said means consisting of tongues passing through slots in said top piece, substantially as specified.

9. The combination with a sign-post having arms, of sign-holders on the ends of the arms, having top piece F furnished with sockets ff at an angle to each other to receive the top edges of the signs, and a bottom piece F furnished with sockets f f at an angle to each other to receive the bottom edges of the signs, and intermediate connecting-pieces F F furnished with sockets f to receive the end of the post-arm, substantially as specified.

10. The combination with a sign-post having arms, of sign-holders on the ends of the arms, having top piece F furnished with sockets f f at an angle to each other to receive the top edges of the signs, and a bottom piece F furnished with sockets f f at an angle to each other to receive the bottom edges of the signs, and intermediate connecting-pieces F F furnished with sockets f to receive the end of the post-arm, said connecting-pieces F F having wings f furnished with sockets f f to receive the end edges of the signs, substantially as specified.

11. The combination with a sign-post having arms, of sign-holders on the ends of the arms, having top piece F furnished with sockets f f at an angle to each other to receive the top edges of the signs, and a bottom piece F furnished with sockets f f at an angle to each other to receive the bottom edges of the signs, and intermediate connecting-pieces F F furnished with sockets f to receive the end of the post-arm, said connecting-pieces F F having tongues f passing through slots in said top and bottom pieces, substantially as specified.

12. The combination with a sign-post having arms, of sign-holders on the ends of the arms, having top piece F furnished with sockets f f at an angle to each other to receive the top edges of the signs, and a bottom piece F furnished with sockets f f at an angle to each other to receive the bottom edges of the signs, and intermediate connecting-pieces F l? furnished with sockets f to receive the end of the post-arm, said connecting-pieces F F having wings f furnished with sockets f f to receive the end edges of the signs, and said connecting-pieces F F having tongues f passing through slots in said top and bottom pieces, substantially as specified.

13. The combination with post-pipe A having cap or head D furnished with sockets d to receive the post-pipe, and sockets d to receive arms, arms E,'signs G, sign-holders F having each a top piece F, furnished with bends or flanges f f forming sockets or recesses f f bottom pieces F having bends or flangesf f forming sockets f f ,c0nnectingpieces F F having semicircular bends f forming socketsfto receive the ends of said arms E, flanges f to form shoulders to fit against the top and bottom pieces F F, and tongues f passing through slots in said top and bottom pieces, said connecting-pieces F F having also each a wing f providedwith bends or flanges f' f forming sockets for the ends of the signs, substantially as specified.

SERENO E. NORTON. Witnesses:

H. M. MUNDAY, L. E. CURTIS. 

